The hugely popular international L’Eroica cycling series is coming to South Africa. It is an Italian vintage bike event celebrating the beauty of cycling on vintage bikes, in vintage kit.
The unique nature of L’Eroica has made it an extremely successful event in the cyclist’s calendar, with first-timers frequently turning into fanatical evangelists, returning year-after-year to take part. It’s a unique mix of history, culture, travel, beauty and challenge. Participation in at least one event should be on every passionate rider’s bucket list.
This Italian homage to vintage bicycle racing culture will be celebrated at our inaugural event in Montagu this year. Set in the Cape Winelands district, famous for its mountains and hot springs, it promises to bring an African twist to the spirit of L’Eroica.
The highlight of the Eroica festival will undoubtably be the ride, with 3 distances to choose from. All 3 routes will be almost all gravel, with the longest 140km option taking riders into the beautiful but remote area above the Langeberg to the north, and back down through the spectacular Koo.
This event is not a race, or just a ride, but rather a weekend-long celebration of the bygone days of cycling races of old, with good food, wine, music, and lots of riding.
The weekend of 23 April is a must for cyclists who have a passion for old steel bicycles, and love riding them on dirt roads through beautiful landscapes.
Distances: 140km, 90km, or 50km
Rules: Vintage steel racing bicycles only (but please peruse the Rules on the website)
Cost: R500 per rider (or R400 per rider for groups of 5 or more)
Registration: Please visit the Registration page on the website to enter
For more information, please visit the Eroica South Africa website, or our Facebook page.
About L’Eroica:
The original L’Eroica was imagined in 1997 by Giancarlo Brocci, who through his admiration of the values of the cycle races of old, wanted to reconnect others to the integrity, history and sense of familial celebration cycling used to offer. Today Giancarlo’s tradition continues, and through the International Eroica events we’re helping people rediscover the great history and the physical challenge of the sport that we so love. Giancarlo says it so beautifully, “We want people to rediscover the beauty of fatigue and the thrill of the conquest”.
The core identity of a L’Eroica ride is the same regardless of the country in which it takes place; to strip away the trappings of modern cycling, revert to a time before carbon fibre and electric gear shifting, and embrace the pain and joy that comes from the pure experience.
To find out more about the rides and their individual characters, sign up at eroica.cc.
I read that wrong and now disappointed, thought it was erotica sa ride , nw for that I would sign up